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How to boost your WiFi signal with a beer can (with Photos! you boozehounds)
the chive ^ | Septe 11, 2011 | chiv

Posted on 09/11/2011 7:55:24 PM PDT by max americana

I love a good hack, especially one that requires me to throw back a cold one before hand (or during). This simple wifi boost has actually been shown to increase signal strength by at least 2 to 4 bars. And, well, I will drink to that.

These instructions came to me via The Chive and i think they are most definitely worth checking out. But here is the most important question: what kind of beer will you use?

For this project you are going to need scissors, a utility knife, some adhesive putty and an empty beer can. More than one empty beer can is acceptable but don’t kid yourself, the router only needs the one.

The first step is to wash out your empty beer can, unless of course said beer is a can of Natural Light. If it is Naty Light, promptly go drink a better beer. You really should be ashamed of yourself.

Once the can has dried, you will want to remove it’s pull tab.

Only perform this next step if you have not been drinking. Using the utility knife, saw off the bottom of the can. Chances are your can will not have a red dotted line. If you see one, put down the knife…you’ve had too much beer.

You’ll notice in the above step that the can’s pull tab has returned. Clearly, there are only two possible reasons for this. One, you are really drunk and you never removed the tab in the first place. Or–the more likely answer–beer cans can regenerate themselves.



TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Hobbies; Miscellaneous; Science
KEYWORDS: antenna; beer; beercan; cantenna; internet; router; wifi
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Disclaimer: don't blame me if you happen to stab yourself while boozing. And don't just place a can of Schlitz on the router because you are too lazy to cut open a beer can. Happy wifi!
1 posted on 09/11/2011 7:55:27 PM PDT by max americana
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To: max americana

Redneck WiFi?

If your wireless router says “Budweiser” on it...you might be a redneck.


2 posted on 09/11/2011 8:03:13 PM PDT by RockinRight (Carter Obama and Reagan the nation!)
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To: max americana

Nice simple concept.

They gave no guidance about the shape of the reflector and it seems a little arbitrary to use the pop-top hole for spacing. Should be a 1/4 wave length from reflector where the antenna goes through the lid of the can.

Great idea, wonder if it was one of my Ham friends who thought this up. The old ones are still cheap and this looks like something they would do. hee hee hee


3 posted on 09/11/2011 8:04:24 PM PDT by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
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To: max americana
For better reception where ever you are:


4 posted on 09/11/2011 8:04:28 PM PDT by NoLibZone (Democrats are violent. Prisons are overflowing with democrats convicted of violent crimes.)
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To: ShadowAce

This is a good one!


5 posted on 09/11/2011 8:04:53 PM PDT by GOPJ (126 people were indicted for being terrorists in the last two years. Every one of them was Muslim.)
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To: max americana

Are longboys like Busch’s (taller) preferable to Foster’s (wider)?

With the former, if it don’t work, you could always say:

Busch’s Fault!


6 posted on 09/11/2011 8:05:24 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: max americana
I've got one of these. Note that it doesn't have a standard antenna. Also note that it is supposed to have better range than my old one with 3 antennas. IT DOESN'T!


7 posted on 09/11/2011 8:05:57 PM PDT by BreezyDog
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To: max americana

Naw..! Pringles Can, bro..!

Coffee can, too..! I’m serious.


8 posted on 09/11/2011 8:13:37 PM PDT by gaijin
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To: max americana

Hmmm, I might try this a little later.


9 posted on 09/11/2011 8:14:09 PM PDT by jpsb
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To: max americana

Except, the trouble is that most routers now have internal antennas.


10 posted on 09/11/2011 8:15:43 PM PDT by Obadiah (Okay, so what's the speed of dark?)
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To: BreezyDog

get the Foster’s can, the thing looks wide.


11 posted on 09/11/2011 8:18:32 PM PDT by max americana (FUBO NATION 2012 FK BARAK)
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To: Obadiah

I think just resting on the chassis this rig would improve signal to noise ratio by scattering.


12 posted on 09/11/2011 8:18:34 PM PDT by Prospero (non est ad astra mollis e terris via)
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To: Revolting cat!

I’ve been using the (bow’s head)...Pabst.


13 posted on 09/11/2011 8:20:51 PM PDT by max americana (FUBO NATION 2012 FK BARAK)
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To: max americana

14 posted on 09/11/2011 8:24:05 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: max americana
Foster's: Australian for even longer range WiFi.
15 posted on 09/11/2011 8:27:02 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (Due to the earthquake the president has officially implemented Rule 18-1.)
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To: BreezyDog
This Works:D-Link ANT24-0700 2.4GHz Omni-Directional 7dBi Indoor Antenna


16 posted on 09/11/2011 8:27:22 PM PDT by NoLibZone (Democrats are violent. Prisons are overflowing with democrats convicted of violent crimes.)
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To: Texas Fossil; max americana; neverdem; MHGinTN; hobbes1

My beer can does not have a red line.


17 posted on 09/11/2011 8:29:43 PM PDT by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but socialists' ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: max americana

The wonders of electromagnetic wave physics. An approximation of a stretched parabola reflector dish. Works best if antenna is positioned in the focus of the parabola.

I genned up a redneck directional parabolic dish to boost my WiFi antenna using aluminum foil taped to the back side of an old umbrella. Used rubber band to hold antenna to umbrella pole in approximate focal area. It actually boosted the signal significantly, but very tricky to figure out optimum direction if you don’t know where the WiFi signal is coming from with multiple sources.


18 posted on 09/11/2011 8:34:55 PM PDT by anymouse (God didn't write this sitcom we call life, he's just the critic.)
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To: Robert A. Cook, PE

I think it becomes visible after about the 12th can.


19 posted on 09/11/2011 8:38:59 PM PDT by rightwingcrazy
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To: anymouse

the umbrella could be held with only rubber band to the router?


20 posted on 09/11/2011 8:42:04 PM PDT by max americana (FUBO NATION 2012 FK BARAK)
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